Kal Rudman Publisher, Philanthropist

Kal Rudman, Publisher and well known Philanthropist pictured center was Sam Bushman's primary client for a number of years, but most of all, he made possible for Sam to work until the end of his career. What comes to mind when using the term philanthropist is usually of a financial nature giving money to organizations, and although true of Kal Rudman and his Foundation, he is to be recognized publicly for keeping Sam as his Publicist until the time when he traveled to another place and time. Sam kept Kal in the media almost on a daily basis. If there was some organization needing help you could be sure Kal was involved and it was Sam's job to organize all events for media coverage. Some may have thought of them as an odd pairing of souls, but these two individuals shared a bond not often seen today. Sam was recommended to Kal after Mike Goffredo, a giant among Philadelphia Press Agents passed away and where this journey started.

Pictured with Kal Rudman is Bob Pantano, a legend in his own right and The Honorable Lynne Abraham, District Attorney of Philadelphia. Both these people are big supporters of Kal Rudman as Kal is of them. Kal Rudman's name enjoys instant recognition for all his work and contributions and Sam Bushman continued the legacy. Sam not only supported Kal in his endeavors, but came to be known as someone Kal could seek advice and in typical fashion, Sam was always honest as he was never one to gloss over words or concepts. If he thought an idea not worthy, that cool, calm manner could disappear in a flash! Just ask Kal the next time you see him. He has many stories to tell about Sam and all of them good I may add (another famous Sam Bushman line).

Kal and his wife Lucille through their Foundation established the Kal and Lucille Rudman Institute for Entertainment Industry Studies at Drexel University. Both Kal and his wife Lucille are dedicated to education and public safety and their generosity is well known not only in Philadelphia, but the surrounding area.

Sam Bushman no doubt wrote the book on how to be a Press Agent and Kal Rudman, client and friend , the best example of putting this practice into action.

What Was Wrong with the Old Look

There are several new looks for me but do not understand why my original persona needs to be altered. I am and shall remain the same. Sam would then go on to tell you he probably had "suits older than you". This was not a line of any sort, but the truth. Sam was for all practical purposes just that, practical, but to the extreme. If Sam Bushman had a motto it would go something like this: "I never spent a dime I did not make," . Can you say the same about yourselves? Have you ever spent a dime you did not make?

I could get used to this image of me. What do you think? Should we stick with this or go with something else. We can do a comparison and vote on what image you like best.

I have been procrastinating and am still not ready to get these archives of mine so many people are interested in viewing online, but promise to try and get something up this week. Remember, this has been a long journey and still need to get my bearings. Are you sick of seeing my image here, if so, just let me know. I can take rejection. I have always been good at taking rejection. I like this image and once I figure it out may keep it as my image to the world!

Rumor Central:
I heard the following: Sam's SWAG. What in the world is Sam's Swag! I certainly am not a drapery or other type of wall adornment. I will just have to wait with the rest of you for Sam's Swag.

We're In Print!

Early yesterday an email was waiting to inform yet again I was being featured, and this time, in print. Those of you reading or perusing headlines for interesting stories, should find this attention getting headline:

"Press Agent Files From Beyond" featured in the Saturday, November 18 Weekend Section of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

All this attention in the same week is usually reserved for clients. However, not much I am able to do about it now, except make sure all is in order, everything spelled correctly and no mistakes describing the Philadelphia landscape.

What is Philadelphia landscape you ask? Philadelphia Landscape: Anything pertaining to or about Philadelphia geography including but not limited to people, places and things. Some of these might be street or neighborhood names or some other information relating to the geography of the City. If you are talking about Center City and 18th and Walnut; you would say, "On Rittenhouse Square today....", and 2nd and Pine would be "Society Hill." Not sure, just ask. My meter is never running. I have a pet peeve of everything being lumped together as in "generic terms" such as Center City. It is just plain laziness on the part of people not doing their homework. Don't forget to get your facts straight or you might just get an early morning phone call.

I tend to get lost in all this rambling but there are so many stories to tell no doubt one word always leads to another and so on and so forth.

Getting Noticed: Getting A Plug!

A publicity tip from the wise one, Sam Bushman, a few secrets along the way and a lesson about integrity. A creature of habit in almost every way imaginable, the start of a Sam Bushman day consisted of getting up, going to the door and picking up his delivered newspapers; The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Daily News. It was tradition for Sam only to have one paper delivered, until it was pointed out delivery of both papers could be a convenience. He would then sit down and first check the columnists to see if any of his "items" got a plug and then moved on to the rest of the paper. At one time Sam read over 50 newspapers a week, from first to last page and absorbed every detail to store in that photographic memory. Any errors or important facts omitted meant a phone call, placed immediately to the person writing the article. Sam was not a make a list to do later about these types of things. So early in the am, many people can fondly recall (or not) a phone call from Sam Bushman. Never condescending and always with a modicum of manners, Sam would give you a hearing should you be wrong about something written or to give additional information. His reputation for knowing everything about everything and everyone made him a legend. Sam's sacred world consisted of getting the word out and getting it right. A side note about getting the word out. This has nothing to do with "hype" a favorite of this jovial press agent. It all had to do with his integrity and respect for the written word. Hype was always an acceptable method of getting his clients exposure. A no from one columnist never deterred him and he went through his contacts until he found a place for an item.

His next phone call was to his client when there was a mention in a column or a feature story due to appear on a certain date. For years he used his reliable rotary phone and an answering service to field his calls while away from the office. He finally submitted to using an answering machine, but involved bidding adieu to rotary phones and entry into the digital arena. Step by step he learned how to use this new fangled technology. Not happy to give up reliable means of communication, he truly was amazed that first day when receiving double the amount of calls normally received. Sam had arrived to the 21st Century! He admitted he had a long way to go and witness the story of trying to add channels to his cable lineup. Another story for another time but the short version was trying to add channels with the TV remote.

This Just In:

Kudos and a thank you to Daniel Rubin, for giving Sam's Blog its first "plug". Read all about it here. Daniel Rubin's Blog is a fascinating and interesting collection of stories brilliantly put together and a "must" read.

There is also a rumor going around online I am going to have my own store soon with all kinds of swag. Oh, do you love my grasp of all this new terminology. Swag, in my generation was related to draperies. Who knew swag would come to define what the well dressed person, entity or being would proudly wear or display in the Digital Age.

Getting late and time to comb the papers for information. You never know who might call and need some background for an article. Hey did you hear about the one.....

Sam just hanging around in his apartment on Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia. All this blogging and what it is called; Cyberspace? Sam was always amazed at what could be done online. A little stubborn (gross exaggeration), Sam did things his way and in his time. For those of you who have wondered about his last days, he was working right up until the end as clients always came first and he was a true professional and a trooper. Never forget the Sam Bushman Mantra:

"For Immediate Release, Cash Flow and Tearsheets"

What more can a person want from life!

Just remember, I am never far away and you can just log onto my blog and see me and leave me comments. The fun has only just begun. You will never know what to expect but you can be sure it will bring back the memories.


This Just In:
I have heard there may be some celebrities from the past visiting my blog as early as this weekend. No details yet so come back to check to see who might show up.

Election 2006: The D's Are Back Arnold!

The two pictured to your left were the best of friends even though one was a "D" and the other an "R". Now those of you familiar with these two gentlemen would surely know the only time that guy on the left would become completely exasperated with that guy on the right was when the "R" enjoyed rubbing in a fact or two about the administration.

So who are these guys? Of course there may be people who are younger, reading this for the first time or perhaps don't care at all about who they were and what they did, let alone their political affiliations.

Sam Bushman is on the left and Arnold Stark on the right in this photograph.

This past election comments from Sam to Arnold might go like this:

"It's about time the people came to their senses" to which Arnold might reply, "This is just the temoporary insanity of the American Public". And so it would go on and on, but never interfered with their lifelong friendship. Arnold and Sam were part of a breed of Press Agents that do not exist today. They were unique personalities who led the entertainment and restaurant scene in a different time and place and there is no doubt both were equally loved by people that knew them.

Many of you may may not know that Arnold used to bring cheesecakes from Bookbinders to all the Presidents (at least the Republican Presidents). It was nothing for him to get in his car and drive to the Whitehouse for a delivery. You never knew where Arnold might end up as you look at the postmark from some clipping he sent to you. With Arnold it could be anyplace in the United States. Sam on the other hand was more your "stay close to home type" who rarely traveled and liked to stay close to his home base and clients.

Okay, time is up and time for you to talk about these two pals. Post some of your stories about Sam and Arnold or about either one individually. Another walk down memory lane.